The Koran, Commonly Called the Alcoran of Mohammed, Translated into English Immediately from the Original Arabic; with Explanatory Notes, Taken from the Most Approved Commentators.

TRANSLATED BY GEORGE SALE,.

Item Number: 129237

London: Printed by C. Ackers for J. Wilcox, 1734.

First edition of George Sale’s important translation of the Koran, the first to translate the original text directly from the Arabic into English. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf, rebacked, title printed in red and black, folding engraved map with inset view of Mecca, engraved folding plate with plan and view of Mecca, 3 engraved genealogical tables (2 folding). In very good condition. From the library of Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington, with his coat-of-arms stamped on to the front and rear panels. An exceptional example with noted provenance.

For Muslims, Islam’s sacred scripture can only truly be read in Arabic, for it is the literal, revealed word of God. Among English translations, however, George Sale’s remains an important landmark. “As a translator, Sale had the field almost entirely to himself. The only full translation of the Koran in any modern language previously published was the despicable French version by Du Ryer, issued in 1649. A very poor English rendering of Du Ryer’s from French was issued by Alexander Ross in London in the same year… Sale’s translation is remarkably accurate. Throughout he has made full use of native commentators, as regards both the interpretation of the text and its illustration in the notes… His version remains the best [translation] in any language” (DNB).